IN THE KNOW SHORTCUTS TO RESEARCHING LIKE A PROGet into the holiday shopping spirit – onlineIt's time to be making a list and checking it twice – then reading reviews online, comparing prices and paying with a credit card over a secure Web server.

SPECIAL INTERESTS COLLECTIONS, PASSIONS AND OBSESSIONSLondon trip as teen fanned lifelong hobbyElin Parks is a big fan of fans. She has about 150 of them – fans made out of lace, paper, ivory, silver. Many of them are more than 100 years old.